One of Gloucester Road’s longest-standing pubs is set to reopen next month following a controversial fight between its former landlady and its owners, which resulted in its closure.

The Prince of Wales' former management took the building's owners, Enterprise Inns, to court earlier this year after it was revealed that the company wanted to reclaim the lease on the building and close the pub, running it under their Bermondsey Pub Company branding instead.

Despite her best efforts, landlady Anna Gorman’s battle to save the Prince from closure was unsuccessful and the pub closed at the end of March.

However Bermondsey, which is owned by Enterprise Inns, has now confirmed the Prince will reopen as one of their pubs on May 14 and is in the process of hiring new staff to replace the former team.

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The company said it understood how important and valued the pub was by locals and promised any changes would not significantly alter the feel of the place.

A spokesperson for Bermondsey Pub Company said: “We truly understand how special this pub is to the local people and the soul of the area and feel it is important to note that the pub will remain true to the original look and feel that its customers know and love.

“What we are doing is refitting the kitchen, carrying out some essential works and adding new toilets - nothing else is changing. We will continue to champion local, continuing to bring beers in from Bristol Beer Factory and other local breweries as well as cider from Sheppy’s.